James f



Unirse STATES Armer OFFICE.

JAMES F. LOREMAN, OF ORISFIELD, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THOMAS H. BOOK, OF SAME PLACE.

DREDGESCHOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,808, dated December 26, 1882, Application lled September 21, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES F. LOREMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cris iield, in the county of Somerset; and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dredge-Checks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein lo the accompanying drawings.

My invention' relates to an improved antifriction dredge-chock for use on oyster-dredging vessels, and will iirst be described, and then designated in the claims.

In the drawings hereto anneXedFigure1 is a front view of the chock. Fig. 2 is a front view ot part, the upper'end being in section. Fig'. 3 is a side view transverse to that seen in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side view of part, the upper end heilig in section. Fig. 5 is a crosszo section ofthe chock. Fig. 6 shows the chock applied to the side ot'a vessel.

, The letter A designates the body ofthe chock. rlhe front side ofthe body has a halfrounded groove, b, extendinglengthwise of its central part. At each end ot' the grooveis an abrupt shoulder', c. A rod, d, has its endsrigidly secured in these shoulders, and a number of balls, c, each having a diametrical hole, are mounted loosely on the rod. These ballsare 3o slightly attened at either side, where they are in contact with each other. rlhe balls, by the yielding of the rod, may have bearing in the half-roulnled groove, which furnishes a solid support, and therefore a very stift' rod, d, for them to turn on, is unnecessary. The several balls turn independently of each other, and constitute a very superior anti-friction device, over which'to draw the drag-rope I of a dredge. The uppermost ball has at its upper 4o side a broad ange, e', the upper sideof which is a tlat circular surface. Asocket,j', is formed in the upper end of the body, and a frictiondisk, g, is centrally pivoted in the socket. The position of this disk is such that at one point its periphery bears against the flat circular surface of the uppermost ball, and, as the axis of the disk has position at a right angle to the rod on which the ball turns, it will be seen the l l l disk serves as a frictionless brace for the flanged ball. By this arrangement, Whenever 5o the drag-rope works up against the projecting liange e', the latter prevents the rope from passing any higher up, while the disk braces and stays the uppermost ball and enables it to continue revolving, notwithstanding the lateral or upward pressure occasioned by the rope bearing against the flange.

'lhe particular shape of the ends ofthe chock is immaterial. Holes h are formed in the body, through which bolts or screws are passed, for 6o its attachment to the outer side ofthe gunwale L ot' a vessel.

My device has ad vantage overa mere grooved roller. rl"he bracing-disk g may be usefully employed either with separate balls or a sin 65 gle long roller, and the half-rounded groove serves as a. bearing for either separate balls or a single roller. As a bearlugfor the balls, this groove gives all the strength desired, without requiring much weight. ot' metal in the rod or 7o balls. The device will save wear on the ropes and require less power at the windlass, by which the ropes are drawn.

Having described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. A dredge-chock the body ot which has a straight half-rounded groove, b, a rod, d, eX- tending along the groove, and balls c, mounted loosely on the rod, as set forth.

2. ln a dredge-chock, the combination of Ille body A, provided at one end with a socket,f, and having a disk pivoted ill the socket, a rod,

d, secured on the body and extending at a right angle with respect to the axis of the disk, a friction-roll mounted loosely on' the rod, and provided with a tlange, c', the side of which forms a flat circular surface adapted to bear against the periphery ofthe disk, as set forth.

In testimony whereofl affix mysignature, in 9o presence of two witnesses,this3lstday of August, 1882.

JAMES F. LOREMAN. Witnesses:

THOMAS H. BooK,

J. L. KEER. 

